A life insuring lives: Jim Kageleiry retiring after a lifetime in the life insurance business

By RON COLE

rcole@fosters.com

Monday, January 28, 2013

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Ryan McBride/Staff photographer James Kageleiry stands with his wife Frances in his office where he worked for 62 years before retiring Dec.31, 2012.

DOVER — Every community should have a citizen like James Kageleiry. This seems to be the universal sentiment throughout Dover, New Hampshire.

Some 62 years ago Kageleiry opened his office in Dover, made himself a good business and served his community. On Dec. 31, 2012, at the age of 89, Jim has taken his retirement.

Although he is retiring from his day-to-day business, the community can be assured that one of its most respected members will still be involved. Kageleiry had a philosophy which held him in good stead throughout the years, “believe in what you tell people, when you believe, it makes you work harder.”

Kageleiry, born in his beloved Dover has been a mainstay in many organizations throughout those years.

“Jim is a wonderful guy, he has been a tremendous help to us here at the hospital for over 30 years,” said Greg Walker, President of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. “He has been a part of and a leader in several of our major campaigns. He is part of the fabric of the community.”

Jim Kageleiry was born in the Garrison city in 1923 to a 1st generation greek American family whose name was originally not Kageleiry, but, as with so many families, was changed when they arrived at Ellis Island.

Settling in Dover, the Kageleirys soon grew to have 9 children and eventually established what was ubiquitous in the mid twentieth century, a corner store.

Located on the corner of Washington and Locust, just a block away from what was then Dover High School (now the McConnell Center), it was in effect, the incubator for Jim.

Though his school years, Jim helped tend the family store and interacted with many Doverites, developing relationships that would last a lifetime, including one with a young girl named Frances White who frequented the store's candy counter- but more on that later.

Describing his first foray into public service, Kageleiry explained – “we eighth graders at the Ida B. Hanson School were preparing for graduation and wanted to take a trip. No one knew what to do, so I went down to the bus company and asked how much it would take to hire a bus to take us to Old Orchard Beach and was given an amount equivalent to fifty cents per person. We took the trip and had extras aboard giving me an excess in funds. I was excited at this, but knew I couldn't keep the money, so I had the bus stop and bought ice cream for everyone. That was the beginning of helping my fellow man, and it really felt good.”

Dover High School followed, where Jim applied his interpersonal skills to becoming a class officer several times. Also, he was named best dancer in his class, and captained the Dover High basketball team to a state championship.

Graduating in 1942, and liking the uniforms of the U.S. Navy, Jim became a sailor, eventually being stationed in Hawaii. “Devastating,” he recalls upon seeing Pearl Harbor a little over a year after the Japanese attack. “It was still fresh so to speak, with the masts still sticking above the water.”

Returning from the service, Jim entered UNH graduating with a degree in economics and business. “I had heard about the value of life insurance economically to people and it made sense to me.

“I had seen a New York Life ad featuring a woman decorating a Christmas tree with the caption 'Bill's not here, but he really is'. I still get choked up when I think of that, and it set me on the right path, one of being in business and still able to help my fellow man.”

Fate put him in the position in 1950 of being offered a sales representative job with that very same New York Life and Jim Kageleiry settled into a successful life in business and community service.

Frances White, the young girl who frequented the candy counter in the 40's was now 18years old and caught Jim's eye. They kept company for six years, marrying in 1958.

Through the ensuing years, Jim became a successful businessman, garnering many awards from New York Life, eventually becoming a poster boy for the company as it urged its agents to be active in their communities.

“I have always tried to give back to my home town,” said Kageliery. “as my business prospered and my family grew, it became more and more important to give back. New York Life asked me to travel quite a bit addressing agents not about business as such, but on how to become involved in their communities.

Give back Jim Kageleiry did, his community involvement is a patchwork quilt of achievement. Chairman, President, Trustee, these words are followed by the name James Kageleiry through the 50's, 60's, 70's and on.

In 2001, Jim celebrated fifty years in business in Dover and then Mayor Will Boc surprised Jim and presented him with a key to the City. Jim still has the key and treasures it an the significance it has.

One of his most telling achievements was in 1979 when he was named Dover's Citizen of the Year. Molly Hodgson Smith, current Executive Director of The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce commented “Jim has always been available to the Chamber. He was instrumental in helping raise funds for our new building. He is so generous with his time and he does it so naturally.”

Local attorney Michael Bolduc has worked with Jim on many things, and finds Jim to be “successful in business and generous with his personal time, and can always find time to help someone out.”

Jim's helping someone out is personified by an experience Linda Hagan had him. “It was 1981 my husband Joe and I had just opened up Jewelry Creations in downtown Dover and joined the Chamber of Commerce. I attended my very first meeting with a little apprehension, entering a room full of people, none of whom I knew. The first person to get up and welcome me was Jim Kageleiry, he introduced himself and said 'let me introduce you around', and he personally introduced me to everyone in the room. That's the kind of guy Jim Kageleiry is.” Hagan has worked on numerous civic projects with him describing him as “never too busy to help, his joy comes from helping others.” Hagan also used a word Foster's heard from almost everyone when describing Jim Kageleiry — “wonderful”.

Jim's son Paul, who followed his father into business with New York Life (“but not in my footsteps, he's way beyond me,” said Jim), calls him a terrific dad and grand dad, and as only a Kageleiry businessman can say “he conducts himself honorably. I've learned a lot from him.”

Jim's son Chad, a developer, used the same word twice when describing his father. “He is selfless,” said Chad. “Every kid should be lucky enough to have a father like mine. Watching him live his life in Dover as I have grown up has been phenomenal. He has been selfless in his caring in the community. He has so much respect for everyone. I hope I can continue to grow to be more like my father.”

There are perhaps two people that can tell you about a man. One is his wife, and the other his secretary.

Wendy McDermott has been with Jim Kageleiry for thirty-one years “I wouldn't have stayed with him if he wasn't a good guy,” she says with a smile. “He is a wonderful man, almost like a second father to me. He is kind and patient.”

Jim Kageleiry and Fran have spent almost 55 years of marriage together raising four successful children in their beloved Dover and sharing many accomplishments making them the premier couple in the community.

The soft spoken Fran describes her husband as follows. “Jim doesn't have a middle name, but if he did, it would be integrity.”

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Ryan McBride/Staff photographer James Kageleiry stands at his desk where he worked for 62 years before retiring Dec.31, 2012.